Art of Hosting and Harvesting Meaningful Conversations (AoH)
What is art of hosting?
Art of Hosting (AoH) is an approach that is highly effective for harnessing the collective wisdom and self-organising capacity of groups of any size, for a one-time event or long-term collaboration. It's a body of practice co-created and further evolved over the past 20 years by facilitators, consultants and a community of practice. Based on the assumption that people give their energy and lend their resources to what matters most to them – in work as in life. Art of Hosting blends a suite of powerful conversational processes to invite people to step in and take charge of the challenges facing them.
This blend supports the creation of open and meaningful conversations that lead to commitment and long-lasting results. Working with a range of collaborative methods – like Circle, World Café, Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, ProAction Café, storytelling and more – practitioners can tailor the approach to their context and purpose.
Groups and organizations using the Art of Hosting as a working practice to report better decision-making, more efficient and effective capacity building and greater ability to quickly respond to opportunity, challenge and change. People who experience the Art of Hosting typically say that they walk away feeling more empowered and able to help guide the meetings and conversations they are part of, in relation to moving towards more effective, participatory and regenerative outcomes.
At collaboratio helvetica our activities and events, the Catalyst Lab and work with clients are hosted and design inspired by the Art of Hosting approach. Through the implementation of these methods and tools, we ensure the participation of diverse and different voices, the support of a culture of shared leadership and the conditions for co-creation.
Our connection with the international network
Together with our friends at e7°, we hosted an AoH Training in the fall of 2019 and a second one is taking place in October 2020.
Our Practitioners Circle and its members have been part of various trainings and some are experienced AoH practitioners applying AoH in diverse context (Governmental Institution such as EU Commission, Conference Design, Long-term Project design and stewardship, …) and are connected to the lively global network.
We use this approach and its tools in:
The Catalyst Lab
Hosting Events and Activities
In the everyday work of the team and the community
Toolbox & article
Find descriptions of tools and our experiences with them in our open-source toolbox:
Toolbox:
Council: open spaces for attentive listening
Circle Practice